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For three generations, the Morgan family has equipped adventurers with the accouterments they need to conquer the great outdoors. The outfitters supply canoes, kayaks, and rafts for excursions at both their Fort Ancient location on the Little Miami River and Brookville location on the Whitewater River. Adventurers choose from a range of downstream floats, with river jaunts stretching from 3 miles up to 18 miles. The company also operates campgrounds with cabins and tent space on the banks of both rivers, allowing guests to stop overnight to rest their muscles or practice non-native birdcalls while everyone else sleeps.

Set your course for Little Miami Canoe Rental in Morrow for a relaxing afternoon of boating on one of their ship-shape vessels.
For a well-crafted dish, be sure to visit the restaurant at this center.
Grab the kids when you head to this center — its family-oriented atmosphere perfect for the whole clan.
Parking is plentiful, so patrons can feel free to bring their vehicles.

The instructors at Bros Boards teach clients of all ages how to standup-paddleboard (SUP) on any body of water at least 12 inches deep, from flat and open waters to Class II to V whitewater rivers. Once riders feel comfortable enough to venture out on their own, Bros Boards' team rents boards at both their headquarters and through partner locations. Additionally, a sales team supplies SUP enthusiasts with low-maintenance models from Body Glove and Imagine Surf, such as the Wave paddleboard made of indestructible, scratch-and-sniff plastics.

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There's no speed requirement on the Little Miami River—drifting leisurely on a tube is just as respectable as cutting through the water in a sleek kayak. Both vehicles afford scenic views, as well as opportunities to rest and swim. Of course, there's always the canoe to consider. The large boats fit up to three people, making them the most social of the three options at Bellbrook Canoe Rental. Pairs and trios can take them on one of two jaunts down the river's path: a 3-mile trip beginning at Bellbrook Bridge, or a 5.2-mile trip that departs from Narrows Reserve in Beavercreek.
Regardless of the route, each adventure satisfies first-time paddlers and expert boaters alike. The family-owned rental company has 160 canoes and kayaks that they lend to small groups as well as schools, scouting organizations, and astronauts who would prefer to ease into the water portion of their weightlessness training. For gatherings off the water, there's also three shelter houses available to customers free of charge.

Barefoot Canoe runs canoe trips and fishing expeditions down the Stillwater River to help customers reconnect with nature. Aquatic explorers will be transported to (and from) the river by Barefoot?s buses before embarking on their trips. Paddlers drift along serene currents and take in scenic views, including minor waterfalls and intriguing landmasses. The company provides paddles and life jackets to ensure a safe ride.

Groupon Guide

Good canoe-paddling form won’t just improve your maneuvering in the water; it’ll also save you energy and, potentially, injury. Whether renting a canoe for an afternoon or making the most of a lakeside getaway, start by following these four tips on how to paddle a canoe most effectively.1. Good posture will get you everywhere. The better aligned your body is, the more efficient your strokes will be. By sitting up straight as you paddle, you help direct your power to your bigger muscle groups—the chest, abs, hips, and butt—and keep your arms from going noodly too soon. 2. Hold your paddle right. If you’re paddling on the left side of your body, paddle with your left hand just above where the paddle’s shaft meets the blade (called the throat), and with your right hand at the top-end of the shaft and the top of your hand facing the sky. When paddling on your right side, reverse that. Your arms should stay about an arm’s length apart—use your third arm to measure. 3. Keep your paddle vertical. This is another way to maximize efficiency: by keeping it upright and parallel to the boat as you pull, you’ll both move the maximum amount of water and keep yourself moving straight forward, rather than off to one side where the eels nest. 4. Use short strokes. Despite a natural tendency for many folks to make long strokes, short strokes work better. With each stroke pull only as far back as your knees before lifting your paddle out of the water to start a new stroke. Beyond that point, the stroke becomes weaker and less able to efficiently pull you through the water.Keep Paddling With These Related ReadsFloat On: An Intro to Kayak BasicsNot Going to Summer Camp? Then Bring Summer Camp to You.

Kayaks may have a long history—Alaskan seal hunters were using them more than 4,000 years ago—but only in the last decade have they begun to challenge canoes for supremacy among America’s recreational paddlers. That changing popularity gap is partly due to vacationers, who appreciate kayaks’ ability to silently sneak up on wildlife, and partly to athletes, who are drawn to them for their emphasis on upper-body strength. It also helps that the fiberglass or plastic vessels sit low to the water and tend to be more stable and easy to maneuver than canoes. But before you hop into the water, some kayak basics are in order. Paddle The double-bladed paddles that propel kayaks come in a range of styles: feathered blades cut down on wind resistance during a stroke, curved blades increase stroke power, and flat blades direct the water around the surface upon contact.HullWhitewater kayaks, with short, rounded hulls and soft chines (that is, the curve of the sides) enable pilots to execute tricks and rolls in rough water. Surf kayaks are similar, but their front ends curve up more sharply for better maneuverability in high waves. Used in coastal waters, such as those off the shores of Hawaii, sea-touring kayaks possess flat hulls and sharp chines to stay upright in choppy waters.CockpitMany kayaks have enclosed cockpits, which allow the pilot to roll upright when capsized—a maneuver that takes a while to master but can be a major asset when negotiating rapids. Alternatively, sit-on-top kayaks leave paddlers exposed but free to exercise greater mobility, preferable for gently cruising calm waters.Related ReadsHeading Out to Sea? We Ask a Sailor Which Boat You Should Captain